Responses from Licensor

Here are the responses to the questions we asked the licensor last month:

The first was what is the time period in which staff need to have new background studies completed? There was some question of whether it was 45 or 60 days in regards to staff who have a work interruption (i.e. go on maternity or medical leave or are rehired or return after summer break)?  45 or more consecutive days as specified under Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.04, subdivision 1, paragraph (i).  There are proposed amendments to this requirement in the Legislature, so it may change, but the current requirement is to provide the commissioner notice through the commissioner’s online background study system following an absence of 45 or more consecutive days.  This means submission of a new background study through NetStudy after an individual has been absent for 45 or more consecutive days, or after the program resumes operation following discontinuation of services for 45 or more consecutive days.

Also, what are the requirements for volunteers and particularly parent volunteers? If a parent goes on a field trip with a site and then another a few months later would a new study need to be done (assuming the parent has been on site dropping the child off at least weekly between this period)?  Any volunteer who has direct contact with children served by the program, who is not under continuous, direct supervision by a staff person, needs to have a background study completed (Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (4).  If the volunteer is absent for 45 or more consecutive days and returns to a direct contact position for another field trip, a new background study is required to be submitted. 

What are the requirements for classroom volunteers or visitors that are never left alone with children?  The same requirement applies for all volunteers – if at any time a volunteer is not under continuous, direct supervision by a staff person, a background study needs to be completed (Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (4).  If the volunteer is always under continuous, direct supervision by a staff person, a background study is not required to be completed.